Clichés are phrases, expressions, or ideas that have become overused to the point of losing their original impact or novelty. While they can sometimes convey familiar concepts effectively, they are often criticized for being unoriginal or predictable. Clichés are common in everyday speech, writing, and media, where they can serve as shorthand for shared experiences or emotions but may lack creativity.
Sentences Using “Clichés”:
- Her essay was filled with clichés like “time flies” and “every cloud has a silver lining.”
- The movie’s plot relied heavily on romantic clichés, making it predictable.
- Avoiding clichés in writing can help create a fresh and engaging story.
- “Better late than never” is a cliché often used to excuse tardiness.
- The motivational speech was inspiring despite its reliance on clichés.
- She criticized the novel for its cliché depiction of a hero’s journey.
- Clichés like “all’s fair in love and war” are common in conversations about relationships.
- The coach told the team to “give 110%,” a cliché that drew some eye rolls.
- While clichés may lack originality, they often resonate because they convey universal truths.
- The advertising campaign avoided clichés to make its message stand out.
Synonyms for “Clichés”:
- Platitudes
- Tropes
- Stereotypes (contextual)
- Overused expressions
- Stock phrases
- Commonplaces
- Banality
- Trite phrases
- Chestnuts (informal)
- Bromides
Antonyms for “Clichés”:
Related Words:
- Idioms
- Maxims
- Aphorisms
- Adages
- Proverbs
- Sayings
- Catchphrases
- Phrases
- Slogans
- Formulas
Idiomatic Expressions and Usage of “Clichés”:
- “Time heals all wounds” – A comforting but overused idea, e.g., “After the breakup, people kept repeating the cliché ‘time heals all wounds.'”
- “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” – Overused advice for overcoming challenges, e.g., “He heard the cliché ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ after every setback.”
- “Think outside the box” – Encouraging creativity, e.g., “His boss’s advice to ‘think outside the box’ felt like a tired cliché.”
- “Actions speak louder than words” – An overused moral lesson, e.g., “Despite being a cliché, ‘actions speak louder than words’ remains relevant.”
- “Don’t judge a book by its cover” – A common admonition, e.g., “Though it’s a cliché, ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ is sound advice.”
- “At the end of the day” – Used to summarize, e.g., “Her conclusion was wrapped in the cliché ‘at the end of the day.'”
- “Rome wasn’t built in a day” – Urging patience, e.g., “When delays mounted, he relied on the cliché ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day.'”
- “It’s a blessing in disguise” – Finding hidden benefits, e.g., “She reassured herself with the cliché ‘it’s a blessing in disguise.'”
- “Every rose has its thorn” – Acknowledging flaws, e.g., “His description of their relationship was steeped in the cliché ‘every rose has its thorn.'”
- “All that glitters is not gold” – A reminder of appearances being deceiving, e.g., “He regretted ignoring the cliché ‘all that glitters is not gold.'”
Clichés can sometimes resonate because they reflect shared experiences or universal truths, but their overuse may dilute their impact. Writers and speakers aiming for originality often strive to avoid clichés, crafting unique expressions instead.